The evening breeze brushed past, and the last sliver of sunset was caught between the jagged peaks of the mountain pass.
A Spirit Ring shimmered around the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul. Ning Rongrong completed the absorption and opened her eyes. She stretched, then rose lazily to her feet, excitement plain on her face.
"Rongrong is a real Soul Master now."
Noticing what was going on around her, Ning Rongrong asked with confusion and curiosity, "Where did everyone go? Why are there so many fewer people?"
Qin Yuan explained with a smile, "Their mission is complete, so they went back early."
Ning Rongrong didn't press the matter. She was too excited about obtaining her Spirit Ring to care about such trivial things.
After leaving the forest, Ning Rongrong parted ways with Qin Yuan and the others.
Before they separated, Ning Rongrong said happily, "You've made Rongrong very satisfied. Someone will bring you the book tomorrow."
When he returned to camp, Qin Yuan didn't tell the members who had stayed behind what had happened in the forest.
After the money was divided, the huge camp was deserted. Only he and Chen Ze remained.
This was perfectly normal. Many people didn't work with a Soul Hunting Squad long-term. Most joined one temporarily when they ran short of money, then left as soon as they'd earned enough.
"Boss, we've made some money now. How about we quit this Soul Hunting Squad business?" Chen Ze suggested.
This wasn't the first time the two of them had run into something like what happened today. They risked their lives every time. Who could guarantee that luck would always be on their side?
Qin Yuan didn't answer right away.
At the same time, the system panel appeared in his mind.
[Completed a two-star commission. Reward: Soul Power cultivation increased by three levels.]
[Name: Qin Yuan]
[Martial Soul: Long-Handled War Blade]
[Level: 54]
A warm current flowed through his body, and Qin Yuan could clearly feel that his strength had increased considerably.
Without the system, after earning so much money in one go, Qin Yuan would certainly have changed careers.
But now, to obtain the system's rewards, he had to accept commissions. Of course, he didn't have to take only Soul Hunting commissions; he could consider other kinds of work as well.
"We can't give up our livelihood, but we can take a break for a while. There's no need to push ourselves so hard."
As they spoke, a figure approached from not far away.
Qin Yuan looked puzzled and waved for Chen Ze to go ask what they wanted.
Chen Ze stepped forward and explained, "Sorry, our squad has disbanded, and we aren't accepting any commissions for now."
The visitor didn't leave. With a smile, he came over to the two of them.
Qin Yuan furrowed his brow slightly. Seeing that the man was dressed as a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, he relaxed a little.
The visitor, Ning Tie, had come as a representative of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
In the reception room,
Ning Tie took a property deed out of his Soul Tool. "On behalf of the sect master, I'd like to thank your squad for finding a suitable Spirit Ring for Miss Rongrong."
"The sect master is giving you this shop. Of course, you only have the right to use it. You can't sell it or rent it to anyone else."
To the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, this small favor was nothing.
But that wasn't all. Ning Tie took another document from his Soul Tool and said with a smile, "My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect values talented people like you, Mr. Qin Yuan. If you're willing, you can take this document to one of the sect's field teams and report for duty at any time."
"On behalf of the sect master and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I welcome talented people like you, Mr. Qin Yuan."
Qin Yuan shook his head and declined the invitation. "Please thank Sect Master Ning for the shop. As for joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I have no such plans for now. We're used to doing as we please and aren't suited to being under someone else's command. Still, I'm grateful for Sect Master Ning's invitation. It just isn't the right fit at the moment."
Ning Tie wasn't offended. He set the invitation on the tea table and rose to leave. "No problem. The invitation remains open indefinitely. You can consider it again later, Mr. Qin Yuan."
Early the next morning,
Qin Yuan and Chen Ze arrived at the shop provided by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The shop was on a busy street, with plenty of people coming and going. Even running a small business there would be enough to ensure Qin Yuan and Chen Ze never had to worry about food or clothing for the rest of their lives.
Having lived two lives, Qin Yuan did want a more stable life. But he had an all-seeing perspective, and if he didn't make something of himself on the continent, he would inevitably feel that something was missing.
When he pushed open the shop's front door, he saw that the furnishings inside had been tidied up and looked brand-new.
The books Ning Rongrong had promised to lend him had also been left on the counter in advance.
Chen Ze said with a smile, "Boss, I've always wanted to open a little shop in the village. I never had the chance before. What do you think?"
Qin Yuan pondered briefly, then agreed.
The two of them had grown up in the village and attended the same Junior Soul Master Academy.
After wandering for so long, he couldn't let his own ambitions hold back the people around him.
With Qin Yuan's approval, Chen Ze went to get things ready.
Qin Yuan sat idly outside the shop, with a sign beside him that read "Commissions Accepted."
Whatever else mattered, getting the most out of the system was the priority.
It was early autumn, and the weather was cool.
The sunset fell across Qin Yuan's cheeks like ink wash. Leaning back in his chair, he gazed at the view of the street.
Several people had come by that day to ask about renting the shop, but few had asked him about commissions.
Of course, plenty of people had approached him, but all they wanted were trivial things—not enough to meet the system's requirements for a mission.
As dusk fell, just as he was preparing to close up, a figure hurried over.
"Wait! Can you take my commission?"
The newcomer was a girl just over ten years old. She had short, neat dark-green hair and unusually colored eyes.
"What is it?" Qin Yuan had a guess about her identity.
The girl took a deep breath and asked quickly, "Will you take any kind of commission?"
After he confirmed that he would, she continued, "Can you help me bring someone back? Her identity is special, and people will try to kill her on the way. I need you to take her to Heaven Dou City."
Qin Yuan asked, "Who are you? Who do you want me to take to Heaven Dou City, and from where? What's the payment?"
The girl answered quickly, "My name is Dugu Yan, and I'm a student at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I need you to take Ye Lingling from Silvis City to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
When it came to the payment, she hesitated.
She didn't want to reveal her grandfather's name and make him owe someone a favor for no reason. But she wasn't wealthy and couldn't afford suitable payment.
After thinking it over, she took several medicinal herbs out of her Soul Tool.
"These are healing herbs of a high grade. Would these be acceptable?"
Dugu Yan.
Qin Yuan smiled to himself.
He'd waited outside Sunset Forest for a long time, but hadn't seen Dugu Bo or his granddaughter.
Ever since he'd accepted Ning Rongrong's commission, his luck had finally turned around.
Still, he wouldn't make it too obvious.
"Healing herbs are certainly valuable, but if I go to retrieve someone, why would she come with me? At the very least, you'll need to give me a token of some kind, as well as something convincing to tell her."
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